Things You Can Do Now!

Many of you have asked, “What can I do to help?” Here are ways you can act in your community:

Join the growing online discussion about the movie and the issues. Even if you haven’t seen the film, you can add your experience and ideas to the debate. Or post the link for this campaign, NOTwaitingforsuperman.org, with a comment encouraging others to join in. To start you can post a comment on our new website NOTwaitingforsuperman.org and/or on our Facebook page “NOTwaitingforsuperman”

Write a letter to the editor or an op-ed. The editorial page is a powerful forum for responding to negative media and gathering solidarity. Davis Guggenheim is a storyteller, but you need to tell your own story, and the editorial page is an excellent place to start. We offer assistance to writers who need help framing, editing and placing a letter or op-ed. Contact Fred McKissack at
for more information.

Pass out leaflets at the theater. On-the-ground, direct action is a hallmark of American democratic values. Passing out leaflets gives moviegoers something to absorb as they are bathed in Guggenheim’s oversimplified emotionalism. You can find ideas and samples of leaflets here. Note: it’s important to include local contact info.

Invite others to view and discuss better documentaries. You, too, can bring people together to watch a documentary or two that treats the subject of education reform as a complex problem that requires a holistic approach from the entire community, not as a pet project for the wealthy. Here are three we recommend:

Join the discussion on education policy. Let your voice be heard in contrast to top-down proposals for business model “reforms.” Share your experience, ideas and links to good resources (including NOTwaitingforsuperman.org)

This is just the beginning. We’ll continue to send updates on the growing movement to talk back to this film and the political agenda its being used to support. It’s time to speak up for our students, our schools, and ourselves.